Christmas is Coming!

Christmas is less than two weeks away and we finally have our Christmas tree! 

As tradition dictates, we went over to see Duhon at Brian & Kelly's Christmas Tree lot. 

This was my year to choose the tree. Last year, Brian and chose and it was terrible. A real Charlie Brown tree, and not in the cute way. As we were on our way, Jaxon told us he wanted a big, fat, fluffy tree. "One that is as fat around as it is tall." he said. I couldn't agree more. He is just like his mama! 

As we pulled in to the lot, Jaxon yelled, "I want that one!" He picked it out before we even got out of the car! I encouraged him to look around, but he was not being swayed. He knew what he liked and wasn't backing down. 

I loved the tree too so it's what we got. 

Why is it so hard for them to both look?

Success!
This is pretty much as close to perfect as we are going to get.
Too bad Reesey has terrible cold sores. :(

Shouldn't have pressed my luck. 

Our annual tree lot picture

Brian is sick this weekend so I took it upon myself to string the lights. 

When I told Jaxon he says, "You can't do that. You are a woman. You are not tough. You don't bang, you don't smash. You could get hurt." 

Really, Jaxon? It's lights. 

By the time we were done he says, "Wow! You are the best Christmas tree light hanger upper ever!"

That's right! 

After lights we started the task of decorating it. 

Decorating the tree is my favorite holiday tradition and this year did not disappoint. 

Jaxon was so excited about each one and after inspecting each one properly, he would choose the best spot on the tree. 

Even Reese seemed to understand the importance of decorating the tree. She was surprisingly calm and gentle with the ornaments. She even took time to admire them. 

Did I mention she had to wear her new leotard? 

This is her inspecting her handprint ornament from last year.

Lucy found a new spot. 

I love this picture.

The finished tree...

The tree is so big that it swallows all of our ornaments! 

Christmas Weekend

The Pearsons are getting ready for Christmas! 

For the first time in 5 years I was allowed to get a real Christmas tree! Yes, you read correctly, I was allowed. You see, Brian boycotted buying a real tree because we were never home for Christmas. We always came to Tucson for the 2 week Christmas break and he saw no reason to spend money on a live tree. Every year I would ask for a tree and every year he would say, "If we ever move back to Tucson I'll buy you a real tree." Thankfully he kept his word! There would have been hell to pay if he told me no. Well, it did help that his friend Duhon threw out our fake tree when he helped us move into our new house.  Duhon, works at a Christmas tree lot and won't allow friends to say the "F" word, much less own one.

 We headed to Duhon's lot on Friday night and picked out our tree. It's beautiful and the house smells great. Which reminds me, I better water it, it's been a few days. Oops. I've never been accused of having a green thumb.

Looking for the perfect tree

Jax was really into decorating the tree.

He took it upon himself to get the step stool.

He was so proud of himself!

Saturday morning we headed to the mall to visit Santa. Jaxon was looking forward to telling Santa what he wanted. He had it all planned. He was going to tell Santa he wanted a Batman with a black cape and a Bat Mobile. Yes, he's very specific. When we got there he was able to make a Christmas wish. His wish? For Reesey to come home for Christmas. :) 

When it came time, Jaxon sat on Santa's lap like a champ! No crying, screaming or hesitation. He went right over, climbed on his lap and told Santa what he wanted. He is getting to be so big. Sniff. Sniff.

Reese knew it was a Christmas Weekend so she wore her Christmas jammies! 

Sunday night we took a little trip to Winterhaven. Winterhaven is a neighborhood here in town that hosts a festival of lights. Many of the houses in the neighborhood decorate their houses with holiday displays. We have never taken Jaxon and thought this was a perfect year to do so. The weather was perfect for a stroll in the midtown neighborhood. We had a little hot chocolate and enjoyed the beautiful lights.

Jaxon's favorite display was the very first house we saw.

The Christmas Polar Bear

Not sure which animal is behind him.

Christmas Rhino and Christmas Giraffe

The hot chocolate had a bit too much chocolate I think. Jax was WIRED!

This house was clever! The 12 days of Christmas. My favorite was "8 Maids A Milkin'" Ami, Nicole & Mary... this made me think of you guys :)

Where's Waldo? this made me chuckle. 

This house doesn't look like much, but it was my favorite. They had a water & light show set to music! Think the Bellagio in Vegas. It's amazing what people can do! I have a video, but am not sure how to upload it with my Mac. 

Watching the water show

Horse drawn wagons were in full force on Sunday

It certainly was a busy weekend... taking turns going to the hospital and staying with Jaxon, trying to make things normal for him and not wanting him to feel as if he's been abandoned for his baby sister. Needless to say, we are ready to be a family of four, under one roof. We are ready to stay home for days at a time with nowhere to go. We are NOT ready for sleepless night, however! 

A Reese update....

She is holding her own body temperature. YAY!

She is gainly weight steadily. She weighs 5 lbs 8 oz! Whoot Whoot!

Her formula intake is up to 60 cc's (2 oz) She has to drink 30 cc's in order to be considered a "successful" bottle feeding. 

She has not be gavaged (tube fed) in the last 2 days. Yipee!

She is now on her own feeding schedule instead of a set schedule. She will now dictate when she eats. Which they say is a step closer to being home. 

She still has about 3 episodes (low heart rate & forgetting to breath) a day. As of 2:30 pm today, she hadn't had an episode since last night.

She is wearing some newborn onesies and some of her preemie onesies are too small. 

Today was a good day in the NICU world. I'm hoping things keep looking up and we can all be home again.

She is seriously the sweetest baby

Notice the tape residue from her pulse ox monitor

Those 3 leads (wires) monitor her heart rate. 

Christmas Shopping

One of my favorite parts of Christmas was getting the HUGE Sears or JC Penny's catalog in the mail and just pouring over the toy section. I used to love looking at all of the toys and just dreaming of what I could have. I still am that way. Ami gave me her Premier Jewelry catalog and I have spent hours looking at everything!
The apple doesn't fall far from the tree because my son seems to be the same way! We got a Constructive Playthings catalog and it was on our ottoman when Jaxon snatched it up and found the toy of his dreams!

It is a Dinosaur Park.

This is the description: "Journey back in time with our 3-dimensional, wooden environment inhabited by 12 vinyl dinosaurs. The assembled structure stands at 23" L x 14" W. x 13" H. with inviting nooks and crannies on all sides and levels. A card stock mat completes the scene. "
Sounds perfect for a future palentologist. Once he saw it he says, "I want dis. I get dis for Christmas."

He has taken it to the potty with him, in the car, while eating dinner, and even to bed. I guess I better give Santa a call about this one!

He looks like such a big boy here. sniff sniff

Who's on the Nice List?

JAXON is!! Santa treated Santa very kindly this year! Some would say he went overboard, others say no way! Before we get to Christmas Morning, let's go back to Christmas Eve.

Unfortunately, the Pearson's did not get together for Christmas this year since Grammie Sue had knee surgery on the 23rd and is still in the hospital. We missed you Grammie Sue!! Instead of the Pearson's we had the Lopez Family! We had a very nice dinner and played several games. We laughed, ate, drank, chatted and had a fabulous time.

My Little Family

Proud Abuelos. Jaxon, Abuelo Jose, Abuelo Antonio, Joaquin

Jaxon & Tio Jose were going for the serious look!

Jaxon waiting for the group picture

This smiles melts my heart!

The Rios Pearson Families. Where did Jaxon's heart breaking smile go?

Anabelle, Jaxon, Paloma & Joaquin. Jaxon was more interested in the tripod than taking a good picture!

Jaxon and Lola

Sweet Little Joaquin

Joaquin & Jaxon opening presents

Our family tradition is to get new pajamas on Christmas Eve. If you remember last year (& the year before that), my mom and I get each other the SAME jammies! Well....

This year was not much different! We didn't get each other the same, but pretty close... red with white snowflakes! Seriously!! What are we going to do!
Don't ask...

For the first time in I-don't-know-how long, my dad was home for Christmas!! Well, I couldn't leave him out of the pajama tradition! Turns out, that my mom bought Joselito the same bottoms I bought Dad! (I didn't get a picture though)

CHRISTMAS MORNING!

We were all looking forward to this Christmas! A baby's first Christmas is special, but there is something about the 2nd Christmas that is even more so! I guess it's because Jaxon is so expressive now. Brian & I couldn't wait to see how he reacted to each present. We were not disappointed! Santa brought Jax lots and lots of presents (I told you he was on the nice list!). He got a tricycle, a Smart & Bounce Horse, Legos, Little People Airplane, Vtech Helicopter, trucks, books, puzzles, play horses, shirts, a cash register, bath toys.

Headed towards the trike!

SOOOO many presents!

Joselito giving Lucy some Christmas Love

Jaxon is not one to be left out! He was practically sitting on poor Lucy!

"Kish ho se Ya ya" translation, "Kiss the horse Ya Ya!" (Abuelo is now Ya Ya)

I'm so tired. I think I will take a little rest on this unopened present.